CLG to publish expenditure over £250
The Communities and Local Government department is now publishing details of expenditure over £250 as part of its transparency drive.
The department has for the last two years published details of all spend of £500 or more, and has required councils to do the same.
It yesterday announced this will be expanded to include all spend of more than £250.
Eric Pickles, secretary of state for communities and local government, said: ‘I firmly believe the more open we are about spending the more we can root out waste, avoid duplication and increase value for money for taxpayers.’
The move will put further pressure on housing associations to publish details of their expenditure. In June, housing minister Grant Shapps urged 40 housing association bosses to publish details of spend over £500. He said there is a greater risk the Freedom of Information Act will be expanded to cover associations if they do not.
A number of associations, including Adactus, Hyde, Sanctuary, Family Mosaic, Viridian, Network Housing Group and Home Group, have agreed to comply with Mr Shapps’ request.
